• Success Criterion 2.4.4
  • Conformance level A

Multiple ‘Download’ Links With No File Name or Type Given

2.4.4 — Link Purpose (In Context)

Scenario

Setting

A video streaming service's show detail page

What’s wrong

Multiple "Download" links in a flat list where filenames/types aren't part of link or context.

Example 

<ul>
  <li><a href="/files/s1e1-transcript.pdf">Download</a></li>
  <li><a href="/files/press-kit.zip">Download</a></li>
  <li><a href="/files/s1e1-subtitles.srt">Download</a></li>
</ul>

Why it matters

A screen reader user hears Download, Download, Download with no idea which one is the transcript, press kit, or subtitle file.

How to test

Pull up a screen reader's link list: multiple 'Download' links with no filename/type in the link text or context are indistinguishable and fail.

How to fix

Include both what the file is and its format so users can choose before downloading.

<ul>
  <li><a href="/files/s1e1-transcript.pdf">Download episode 1 transcript (PDF)</a></li>
  <li><a href="/files/press-kit.zip">Download press kit (ZIP)</a></li>
  <li><a href="/files/s1e1-subtitles.srt">Download episode 1 subtitles (SRT)</a></li>
</ul>

Outcome

A user picks Download episode 1 subtitles without opening the other two files first.

Who is affected

Screen reader and switch-access users must open each link speculatively to find the right file.

Learn more

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